I know I have some disease in my flock - but just don't know what to do!

[BritinMO]

I'm at my wits end, I lost another guinea overnight. I've lost around 4 over the past few months, the same symptoms, I notice one is not acting right, and separate it if I can catch it, or when it gets sick enough to be able to grab it, keep it under a heat lamp, but I know its a lost cause, I've not managed to save one that has got sick so far.

I've treated the whole flock with antibiotic stuff in their water, put them onto medicated feed - and they all look fine and are driving me crazy with their antics, and wham, all of a sudden another one is looking lethargic, head tucked under, then wandering around not as manic as the rest, so I know its sick.

Right now I have 2 that are not right and obviously going down with the same 'thing' - I managed to catch one this evening and have her under the heat lamp in my tack room (and its not even seriously cold here) and I can't grab the other one, she/he is still moving fast enough for me not to be able to catch it.

The flock all look SO healthy, and suddenly one gets sick with the same symptoms, its heartbreaking - the coop is clean and dry, what on earth can I do to knock whatever is causing my guineas to die weeks apart. My vet has no experience of guineas or fowl, I've been in there practically begging for help!

 

[leadwolf1]

I'm so sorry to hear you are having troubles. I have no experience with guineas, sorry. The only piece of advice I can offer is to have one necropsied. Most states have low or no cost options available. Your vet should know who you can contact. At least then you would know definitely what you are dealing with. Hopefully someone will come along with much better advice for you to do in the meantime.

 

[perchie.girl]

I cant offer anything but sympathy

and will be hanging on to see if others offer insight on the problem.

deb

 

[PeepsCA]

Any medications or wormers that you are giving your horses that could be effecting the Guineas as they forage thru the manure? Does your flock wander over to a neighbor's and maybe possibly eat slug and snail bate or any other type of pesticide? Rodent bait? Possibly drinking antifreeze? Sometimes things are easily overlooked... so just tossing out suggestions, there may be a cause other than disease...

If you lose another bird, I highly suggest a necropsy, done by an avian vet... you can always freeze the bird until you can locate one... any State Universities near you or anything like that?

 

[perchie.girl]

Good point Peeps. Heck down here the County goes through every few weeks and sprays herbicides along the road in lieu of hiring some one to mow. Sheesh. Who knows how many wild birds have been killed this way.

deb

 

[leadwolf1]

You should never freeze anything that you are taking in for necropsy, it kills the tissues needed for sampling and testing. Refrigerate the bird until you find someone. It's best if you start looking now so that you know what you are doing when the time comes.

Any medications or wormers that you are giving your horses that could be effecting the Guineas as they forage thru the manure? Does your flock wander over to a neighbor's and maybe possibly eat slug and snail bate or any other type of pesticide? Rodent bait? Possibly drinking antifreeze? Sometimes things are easily overlooked... so just tossing out suggestions, there may be a cause other than disease...

If you lose another bird, I highly suggest a necropsy, done by an avian vet... you can always freeze the bird until you can locate one... any State Universities near you or anything like that?

 

[speckledhen]

Guineas are not disease prone at all, in general. I agree to look at outside causes, even check the feed for mold issues. A necropsy would be a good idea.

 

[perchie.girl]

good point here is a link to steps to taking samples:

http://www.loris-conservation.org/database/wild_survey/necropsy/sample_collection.html

I am sure it's not the only one but just the one I found.

deb

You should never freeze anything that you are taking in for necropsy, it kills the tissues needed for sampling and testing. Refrigerate the bird until you find someone. It's best if you start looking now so that you know what you are doing when the time comes.


Quote:

 

[BritinMO]

Thanks everyone, I will call my vet and find out if they can do a necropsy, or get them to find out where I can get one done. I think its going to be the only way I can find out whats going on. I can pretty much rule out poisoning as the only place they visit occasionally is next doors paddock that my neighbors use as a dog agility training area, I know they don't put anything down in there. They do wander onto our lane at times, but nobody sprays around here. I can't think they are drinking antifreeze (certainly not on our place) and the feed isn't moldy as its kept in its sack in a bin in the barn and my gang go through about 2 sacks of feed a week! Whatever is affecting the guineas isn't affecting the chickens.......................and they share the same coop.

 

[zazouse]

So sorry for your losses
I have had guineas for years and never seen one get sick, they are pretty hardy.
Please let us know what ya find out, it could help others later down the road that may have the same troubles.